UAW leaders make push for Ford contract, may be heading for defeat

DEARBORN, Michigan - Leaders of the United Auto Workers are making a push for the union's proposed contract with Ford, which is heading for defeat in votes at Ford's plants.

The union's chief Ford negotiator, Jimmy Settles, said Wednesday that with 75 percent of workers voting, the contract is failing by a 52-48 percent margin. Voting ends Friday.

The agreement raises wages for all of Ford's 53,000 hourly workers and guarantees $9 billion in investments in U.S. plants. But some members say it raises pay too slowly and doesn't replace enough of what was lost in previous contracts.

Settles says he understands members' frustration, but has to keep Ford competitive.

Ford is the last Detroit automaker to negotiate. Fiat Chrysler workers ratified a contract. General Motors' contract has yet to be ratified.

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Today, auto workers at Ford will begin voting on a new three-year contract negotiated by the United Auto Workers union, a process that will take almost a week.

The settlement is exceptionally rich by contrast with the last couple of agreements, negotiated when the automakers were on the ropes or just barely recovering from the near-death experience that ended in bankruptcy for Chrysler and General Motors.